Speaking about life with Charlotte, Nicola said: "I grew a thick skin to protect my sister from any bullying or harsh words at school.

"I took it upon myself to be her protector and we spent most of our time together.

"As we got older Charlotte didn't let her illness hold her back from doing what she wanted.

"When she was well she lived a normal life and went out clubbing and got to go on girls holidays.

"But ultimately she succumbed to this evil disease that gave her leukaemia twice and took away her sparkle."

But Nicola didn't stop at just a mega tattoo across her back in Charlotte's memory. The bubbly blonde also had a glass ring made with her sister's ashes.

WALES NEWS SERVICE

Nicola stripped down to a bikini to have the tattoo inked on

WALES NEWS SERVICE

Charlotte was suffering with Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS)

WALES NEWS SERVICE

The rest of Charlotte's ashes are in this hand-made ring

Talking through the meaning of the inking, Nicola said: "The tattoo is going to be quite dark when it's finished.

"There are shackles on the angel's wrists to represent Charlotte's SDS and how it held her back. But underneath that I want there to be demons holding onto the angel's feet to represent the cancer that ultimately took her away.

"The ring in comparison is something pretty and sparkly that I wear on special days - like going to a wedding or for a nice meal.

"Both tributes to Charlotte are so special to me because it's a way of still being together even though she's gone."

To raise awareness for SDS and to help families like her own who have been affected by the disease, Nicola started a charity called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome UK.

The philanthropic blonde hopes to raise money to be spent supporting SDS sufferers and their loved ones.